Record cold, snowfalls and powerful tornadoes: the USA was covered by a deadly storm

More than 200 million people are at risk due to deadly winter storm raging in the northeastern United States, writes CNN.

Photo: Shutterstock

The storm has been fatal, with at least 15 people killed in weather-related road traffic accidents since the cold weather set in. In Oklahoma alone, 15 people were hospitalized on February 123 with weather-related injuries.

The storm is expected to push through the northeast late on February 16, leaving a trail of heavy snow and ice in its path, CNN meteorologist Tyler Moldin said. Temperatures will rise as it departs, although record cold mornings and afternoons will persist until Saturday, February 20. Millions of people prepare for freezing temperatures Fahrenheit (below -17,7 C) before the end of the week.

ARCTIC BLAST 2021 Oklahoma City and Yukon by Dominator Drone as they back edge of heaviest snow shifts to the east and south. Temperature 4F, wind chills -10 to -20F. Dangerous road conditions! Follow winter alerts on the @RadarOmega_WX app #okwx #snow pic.twitter.com/uxMyO7UuYP

- Reed Timmer (@ReedTimmerAccu) February 14, 2021

But once the low-pressure system leaves states such as Texas and Oklahoma, another system, bringing cold precipitation to the West Coast, is expected to take its place.

"I'm pretty sure we're slowly watching one of the first billion-dollar weather disasters of 2021 unfold," Mauldin said.

Temperature records and tornadoes

The unusually cold temperatures are expected to reach almost every corner of the United States.

Seattle has already reported more than 11 inches (28 cm) of snow over the weekend, the most since January 1972. Over the past few days, parts of Wyoming have received more than 50 inches (127 cm) of snow.

A tornado was reported in Brunswick County, North Carolina, and rescue teams were dispatched to search for the missing, according to the Wilmington Fire Department. At least 10 people were injured and at least three were killed, authorities said.

The tornado damaged at least 50 homes, cut power lines, leaving thousands of people without electricity, and broke trees, writes USA Today.

“This is something I've never seen before. Lots of destruction. This will be a long recovery process,” Brunswick County Sheriff John Ingram said at a press conference early Tuesday morning.

# ABC7AlertDesk: Sad news this morning. Officials tell us at least three people were killed and 10 injured after a possible tornado ripped through parts of Brunswick County in North Carolina overnight. pic.twitter.com/Dvi8R676oP

- Lindsey Mastis (@LindseyMastis) February 16, 2021

The Brunswick County Emergency Management Authority said people were trapped in their homes. Ingram asked people to avoid the area while brigades clear the streets and search for victims.

Dangerous cold temperatures were reported in Eastern Colorado and Western Kansas. More than 6 inches (15,24 cm) of snow fell from East Texas to Ohio, with more than a foot (30,5 cm) in some areas. Heavy snow could reach areas downwind of Lake Erie and Ontario. By then, it is likely that the country will have broken 200 cold temperature records.

Oklahoma City residents spent a record five days with temperatures below 20 degrees (-6,6 C) - expected to remain so until February 18. This is a record value since 1899 and 1905.

Power outage

Lower temperatures have frozen or overloaded energy sources, leaving nearly 16 million people in the dark early Tuesday morning, February 5. The affected customers were mostly from Oregon, Texas, Kentucky, West Virginia and Virginia, according to Poweroutage.US.

While no scheduled power outages are planned in Louisiana, Gov. John Bel Edwards said they could happen if power generation fails to meet demand. Edwards said it would be the coldest weather in Louisiana in decades, and that about 125 households had power outages, some for more than 000 hours.

On the subject: 20 useful things that every winter should be in every car

Transport collapse

While waiting for power to be restored, many officials warned residents that now was not the time to hit the road. There have been more than 400 weather-related crashes in Mississippi since the weekend. And while officials are rushing to clear roads in Illinois, they remain “an absolute mess virtually everywhere,” the Illinois Department of Transportation said in a Feb. 15 news release.

To everyone (plow operators, utility workers) toiling in the dangerous snow and cold today: Thank you and please be careful! (Safety / efficiency home tips: https://t.co/dEa63aFecj) pic.twitter.com/92YfFlH1KE

- CUB Illinois (@cubillinois) February 15, 2021

"Heavy snowfall combined with blowing snow means roads are covered in snow faster than we can clear them," it said on Twitter.

According to FlightAware.com, 16 flights were canceled in the United States on the morning of February 2281.

Texas among the worst affected states

Texas, a state that is not used to a lot of snow, was hit hardest. According to Poweroutages.US, more than 4,1 million customers were left without electricity and daily life was severely affected by cold weather and power outages.

ah #Alexa is upset that there are power outages in our area? here's why. This is south Texas. We don't usually get snow? Since we got snow we are encouraged not to drive because under the snow is ice. The city doesn't really have the equipment that can clear all the roads. pic.twitter.com/i3E8P09iEo

- suzanne (@babyyoubesweet) February 15, 2021

On Monday, February 15, the Houston Chronicle told subscribers that the office had been cut off from electricity from 2 a.m. and was unlikely to be able to release a print newspaper on Tuesday, February 16.

“Even during Hurricane Harvey, our facility never lost power and we never stopped printing, but every weather emergency is different,” the newsroom said.

On the subject: An unprecedented snow storm is raging in Texas: millions of people are left without electricity

On Monday evening, February 15, the cold in Fort Bend County interrupted cellular service as backup generators on the towers froze. This was posted on his verified Twitter account by District Judge K.P. George.

In Abilene, Texas, about 123 residents were also left without water due to power outages. All three water treatment plants in the city stopped after a power outage. It is not known when everything will resume.

Read also on ForumDaily:

Hundreds of deaths and billions of dollars in damage: what were the worst blizzards in US history

How to survive severe frosts: useful tips

A unique experience: a city in the USA where they go in summer clothes even in severe frosts

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